davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-24
The Mad Engineer.

l cannot come to any definite con-
clusion Was l justified in killing him :
If | was, am a ben.factor to some of
my fellow creatures if l was not |
am murderer. Ny readers shall have
an opportunity Of judging, and 1 hope
their Judgment may be lenient.
Some years ago, was well off, and
received the education and bringing up
of gentleman but greatly through
nv own folly. and partly through un-
fortunate speculations. | lost all my
capital and saw starvation GRIMM <
ut me within measurable dlstanc -
Then | determined to attempt no long.
er to keep up appearances, but try and
earn bare existence in any walk of
life that was open to me. After some
fruitless efforts and good deal of the
hope deferred which maketh the
heart sick | obtained, through the
kindness of friend connected with the
Great Junction Railway, the position of
stoker. | never was given to drink, SO
that was we'll enough able to fill the
lowly duties Of my position.
On the day when l went through the
most disagieeable experience of my life
I was travelling from Padllngton to
Cowchester on the well-known, to rail.
way employees, engine named Pluto.
She is fine, outstanding, bold sort of
engine, and when in good temper, does
her work we'll. The engine driver on
this occasion was man named John
Morgan. l had not often travelled
with him before, only two or three
times, and l never could get on COM
iortably with him. He had been
many years in the company's service,
and bore an excellent character for
stt adiness, but was considered rather
tacturn. He seemed to be always in
the sulks, and was, l suppose, of sur.
ly temper Before we started, he hard
ly answered any remark I addressed to
him, and seemed more surly than usu-
al. Once when / took up cloth to
brighten one Of Putos taps. he called
out to me in a savage tone Let her
alone, can't you. She'll travel to-day
without your bothering.'
1t was past twelve when we got the
signal to move. There WAS such =
crowd of people of all classes on the
platform that room could hardly be
found for them in the train. However
at last the head guard gave Ills the sig
nal, and Morgan turned the handle,
and then, We moved slowly and steadi-
ly out of the station. When we got
into the country, Morgan turned to ne
and said shortly: More coal.
Now, in my opinion, no more coal
was wanted, as there was enough in the
FIRE to keep us in the usual speed
However, as a stoker, l was only an
underling and must obey reasonable or.
ders. So | stocked as bidden, and then
curiously watched to see if the engine
driver would turn on full speed. He
did nothing of the sort, but sat with
his back to the boiler and began te
talk to me quite affable. There was
nothing at this time peculiar in hl'
manner, except that he was more talk
atiye than usual, and he would now
and then turn round to the engine anC
call out: Get on, old girl, get on J.
We had before us run Of an hour anc
n balf apI hy that fipno wp were due a
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-24

A table waiter can not be eloquent
He can only indulge III plattertudes.
fany animal on the farm earns his
annual stypenned it must be the hog.
Fishing is called angling because so
many crooked stories are told about it.
Maud S. has stride Of fifteen feet
That of man dodging his bills is thir-
ty'
There is one beauty about seurkraut,
the more it spoils the more It is appre-
ciated.
A fireman on locomotive no matter
how hard hearted he may be, is still
tender man.
OF course the signal service man is
the hail fellow we'll met we hear so
much about.
A student in want of money sold his
books, and wrote home; Father, re-
jolce; for now | derive my support from
literature.
What's that asked a gentleman
from the country in music store yes
terday. That , Oh, tat is used on
vioins, 1t is called a chin rest
Gimme one exclaimed the customer
Its just what III give my wife for q
wedding day present
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-24
CHAS. E. CASSELL,
r.r-i ,Ebuh Mp rtBLIsuHR Or -
IHB(CAlOCTIN CLARION

aOFFICE-OSLER BUILDING, Northwest corner
=, Of Church and Main Streets ..
TERMs.-TuE CrocrIN CLARION is published every
Thursday morning. at 81 90 per annum in advance,
otherwise 81 as will be charged. The publisher as
the risk of remittance by mail. No Subsc rip
ions received for less than six monhsnor any paper
discontinued until arrcarages are paid. Advertise
mcnts we'll displayed at the following rates
One Square, fonr inSertionsm less ~. , 80. II SOL
eacl subsequent insertion IS
TWO monthS,... .,.....,..... 3.oo
tnrce months. ................ $50
one year,. ........., $50
Twelve lines constitute a square Y % ( -
s e. liberal deduction made to yearly advertisers.
Local or special notices cents line.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-24

and hope that my readers will agree
with them, and, in consideration Of my
having saved train full Of people, will
acquit me Of murder and bring in a
verdict Of justifiable homicide.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-24
lJtTi
A CARD.
DR.. HIRAM BUHRMAN.-

DR. HIRAM ,BUHRMAN,r y
physician and surgeon, takes pleasure in an
nouncing to the citizens of Mechanicstowh
and vicinity that he has located here in the
practice of medicine. For the present he
may be found, al his Residence, opposite the
Lutheran church.
lie would further add that he has como TO
stay and hopes by strict and upright de1,ort-
ment to merit the confidence and support of
a discerning public.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-24
EMMITSBURG RAILROAD.

West Ovcrton, Pa. June 90, 1885.
The undersigned has been sick about one
year with lung disease. stomach, constipa-
fion and nervous affection. Had four differ
ent doctors, but no help. One stated that
he could not put in new stomach another
said, if he could get the constitution built up,
the undersigned would get all right: but lie
failed. DR.. Pfoutz then at Connellsville was
sent fer and in three days / got. help and am
g,tting better daily.
Mrs Oliver Beard.
3scpt
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-24

{ (. s.5-BALTo. &C ". RAILROAD,
Trains leave Edgcmont for Waynesboro,
Chambersburg and Shippensburg daily ex-
cept Sunday at 7.3o and u.40 A. NJ. and 7.40
+. NJ. =; on Sunday at II. m. and-P. NJ.
Trains for Edgcmont leave daily Shippcns
burg at 6.55 A. NJ. and .25 and 90 p NJ
Chamhersburg at !. 2s A NJ, 200 and 4.SO
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
A Natural Washtub.

In the Yellowstone country large ho- tel is erected upon a great geyser ter race, and dormant water-crater is the receptacle for all the house drainage; and in the same romantic region the Chinese laundryman attached to one of the hotels gets through his labors by throwing the clothes into a bubbling, frothy pool, and fishing them out when they have been tossed about enough. Eggs are often boiled in the island gey- sers, aud bacon is fried in the Hawaiian lava streams. In the ROtorua area of New Zealand the banks of the lake are 30 perforated with springs that every native hut has its own natural boiler, which is used as kitchen. The Kuirua spring is strongly alkaline, and, on ac- count of its saponaceous qualities, is utilized as general washtub. In Ice land to cook food in the gcysers is a regular portion of the tourist program. Tea is infused with water from the Great Gcyser, and trout arc boiled in the Blesi, or hot-water pond. They require to be immersed for about twenty minutes to be cooked to a turn.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
Balloons in High Attitudes,

The recent attempt made by some French eronauts to reach great height above the earth has not been productive of any particular scientific results. The balloon in which the ascent was made reached an altitude of over 20, 900 feet without the occupants of the car ex- periencing any ill effects, except a tend ency to faintness on the part of one of them. When about 1s years ago simi- lar attempt was made, and the height of 9, 900 feet was reached, it was with fa- tai results to three out of the four ero- nauts. The success of the present cx- pertinent is explained by the allegation that the difficulties du. to the rarefac- tion of the atmosphere only begin at au altitude of B, 900 or 24,O00 feet. This view seems supported by the fact that in the Himalayas and tho Andes heights of about 20, ,0O0 feet have been on several occasions reached without any incon- veniencc In such cases, however, the ascent has always been gradual. The ill effects experienced in balloons are pos sibly due to the audiences of the change London Spectator.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
Caught in the Ice.

A ship once fairly beset, and strongly held during gale, is completely be- yond control; and no real good can be accomplished by the severe tasks of warping aud continual shifting of ice anchors, which only exhaust the crew and render them more or less unable to take a thorough advantage of favora- ble situation should one occur. Parry, however, under these circumstances, did not hesitate to employ his crews to their utmost at the hawsers and sails, plainly acknowledging that "the exertions made by heaving at hawsers, or otherwise, are of little more service than the occupa- ton they furnished to the mems minds under such circumstances of difficulty; for, when the ice is fairly acting against the ship, ten times the strength and in- genuity could in reality avail nothing" But the greater majority of ice naviga- tors are now decidedly of the opinion that it is best to yield to fate, and re- serve the mems strength for palpable efforts. Still, in these besetments, the mind of the commander must be eve active; for new events follow each other so rapidly, that favorable chance fo rescue is passed before it can be fairly weighed in all its aspects. - [Swis. Cross
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
How Peas are Canned.

The canning of green peas, which is now a busy industry in Delaware, is an interesting process. The peas are shclled by hand and then fed into the hopper of separator, which divides them into three grades; then they are put into copper kettles, where they are steamed just enough to wrinkle the outer skin and intensity if possible the vivid green of the pea. They are then filled into cans, which are placed on an iron tray and dipped in trough or tub of boiling water, which runs into the cans filling them to the brim. This water contains whatever of preserva- tive nature is put into the cans to pre- serve the vegetable. The cans are thcr wiped, sealed and packed in iron cages, each cage holding a4S cans. These cages are put into air tight steam ket- ties where the cans arc subjected to hot steam under immense pressure for about fifteen or twenty minutes. The peas arc then ready for market. - Chicago Tribune.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
Monkeys Copying Human Vices.

Dr. Jammes, in memoir sent to the Academic des Sciences of France, states that monkeys, unlike other animals, un- less 1t is the human animal, readily ac- quire the habit of taking morphia. When monkeys live with opium smokers, as they do in the eastern countries, where the habit is more prevalent than elsewhere, and become accustomed to the medicated atmosphere, they acquire taste for the pipe. One particular monkey, it is said, would wait for his master to lay dowa his pipe and would then take it mp and smoke what re- mained. If not allowed to do so for several days it would fall into state of deprc sio and inactivity which would disappt or as soon as it was allowed to Unit the pipe"
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
A Chinese AnHSthetic.

A curious anasthetic used by the Chin csc has recently been made known by Dr. T. Lambuth in his third annual report of the Soochow Hospital It is obtained by placing a frog in jar of flour and irri- tating it by prodding it. Under these circumstances it exudes in liquid, (which forms paste with portion of the flour. This paste, dissolved in water, was found to possess well-marked anas- thetic properties. After the finger had been immersed in the liquid for few minutes it could be pricked with a needle without any pain being felt, and numbness of the lips and tongue was produced by applying the liquid to them. -[ Boston Journal.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
Rat and Snake.

Charles E. Jackson of Halifax, Fla,
 has pet snake that catches rats. Jack son heard a racket in cupboard, and opening the door, found the snake had captured rat and was trying to swat low it nose first. The rat was alive and strenuously protested against going into such hole, using his feet 10 catch hold of the floor or other surroundings. The snake, wiser than the rat, raised him a foot or two in the air, and in that posi- tion continued the swallowing process, dropping down to the floor to rest oc- casionally, until the rat was swallowed.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
Insf What He Meant.

A citizen of Detroit, who probably in tends to run cn the next county ticket met farmer TO Romulus on Michi- gan avenue yesterday and held out his hand and said:
 "Ah, fine rain thisv'
 "Well, I dunno"
 "Do the crops lots of good"
 "It will, eh9 What crops!"
 "Well, er---you know--- won't it helr the crops!'
 ''It may soften up the dirt 80 l can dig up few stumps."
 "Exactly---cxactly-- that's what meant. Beautiful rain for soltening, beautiful. Goodbye"
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
From Fathers We'll.
''Is there no hope?'

'Is there no hope?' s.a
 "There is noner' F@+.
 The doctor laid down the heavy hand whose rapid, fickering pulse he was counting, and turned toward the weep ing family of the sick man. | "He may last till morning, but more likely he will pass away at the turn of the night"
 ''He does not know me-" sobbed the wife.
 ''He is not conscious" answered the doctor, gravely. "His mind wanders.'
 "Will he suffer much?"
 "No; he is very happy. He is talking in his sleep. Do not disturb him" said the doctor as he left the patient, whose life he was powerless to save.
 The dying man, who was so poor at this moment that he could not purchase one hour of time, was rich in the worldly possessions he was about to leave forever.
 He had houses and lands, and bank stock. He had rich viands to tempt his failing appetite. It was his pleasure to drink of many different wines at his grand dinners. Yet his restless spiri, craved one luxury-a simple, homely thing-that all his wealth could moi buy.
 Iisteni
 He is speaking and they bend eagerly to hear. He is asking for drink.
 His wife presses a goblet to his lips filled with sweet and cooling draught He refuses it.
 Then his loving child pours out glass of favorite wine and tenderly begs him to take it. "No! no! not that"
 He speaks wildly, and they bend low and try to distinguish his broken an6 faltering words.
 "Bring-me -the-eourd!'
 'What does he mean2'' asks his wifi, in despair.
 It-is - hanging just-inside--th' curb"
 "Papa, dear what is it?" asks hi sweet faced ci!i.d
 'I-w want -dliuk k-of - fresh water-from-fath ather's-well "
 That was all. He closed his wear, eyes to open them in his heavenly hom where, when life's little dream is over we shall all one day slake our thirs from our Fathers well.-[Det Ere
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
MO-. 14.
A Talk with an Oculist.

A New York Mail and Express re- porter watched for five minutes the human tide that swirls through Park row opposite the Postotiicc, and counted seventy-eight persons with eyeglasses astride their noses. Then he went to an oculist and said: 'Are diseases of the eye on tho incrcase2"
 The oculist adjusted his own glasses, looked critically at those of his ques- tioner, and said:
 q think moi, When I say that, l don't mean that our business Is falling of. On the contrary, it is increasing every year and will continue to do so as people continue to wear eye glasses, he cause they think 1t adds to their per. sonsl appearance. You have nc ldea how many there are w'ih1c aG ,nis, and on'y one who sees cases every day, as do, car form any estimate of the number of glasses that are disposed of in this way.
 ''Young people study and read by dim lamp or gas light, and of course the eye becomes somewhat weakened. Then thc parent3 ru.h of 10 get pair oi sp-ctacies, and oltentlmes patronize men who will sell them any kind of glnss, no matter how we'll it may suit the case, just to get the money. This careless ness is dangerous and sometimes fatal to the organs of sight, which are entirely too sensitive to be trifed with. The greatest enemy to the eyes of young men is the cigarette. Recently dis case has appeared among smokers which is dangerous, and after careful investi gation the best authorities, who for { long time were at loss to understand the peculiar malady, have traced it te the small, paper-covered tobacco sticks It is now known as the cigarette eye, and can be cured only by a long treat ment. Its symptoms arc dimness and { ilm-like gathering over the eye, whicf appears and disappears at intervals. I young men continue to smoke cigarette excessively they may expect to be afflict ed by this troublesome disease; and it i not relieved by spe ctaclcs."
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
Bashful Bride9r0Oms.

A justice of the peace in Saratoga coun- ty recently joined pair who were so en- barrassed that they hardly knew what they were doing. The man wore a white straw hat which he whirled on his fin ger before the ceremony began. When told to stand up he jumped before the justice with the greatest alacrity. For few moments he dil not know what to do with the hat, but finally found his way out of the difficulty by putting it between his knees This was too much for the bride. With the handle of hr parasol she caught the hat, pulled it from its position and then, abashed at her audacity, dropped hat and parasol to the floor.
 The same justice tel, a story of an- other couple wh, came to be married The man was dreadfully puzzled, and without realizing the act pulled cigar from his pocket and began twirling it around. When that portion of the ccre- mony was reached where bride and groom join hands, he happened to have the cigar in his right hand. What to do with the cigar he apparently did not know. The justice paused minute and then again directed the pair to join hands. By this time the roor fellows embarrassment was painful. He gave one agonizcd look at the justice of the peace and stuck the cigar in his mouth. Before the ceremony could be conclud ed the justice had to take the cigar from between the mans lips. ---[ Rochester, Herald
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28

fell into the hands of wicked bunco men, and that after enticing you to their den they drugged you with glass oI ginger ale She has confidence in you, hasn't she9'
 "Implicit."
 ''Well, it wont do for you to destroy that confidence by working the honesty racket. Of course you don't mean to dc so again, etc., and Yankee Doodle; no scn- sible man does. The end justifies the means, my boy"
 Billy hesitated about taking Toms ad- vice, and while he hesitated the train stopped at Canal street and the two men stepped upon the platform. Tom ran tc the head of the stairs. Looking down he saw two little figures, hand in hand, looking upward.
 Billy" said he, eff you will take me to a convenient woodpile and hammer me with an oak tree you will do me a great favor" Here Tom used his hand kcrchief very freely and muttered some thing about ''that cussed catarrh." The two men shook hands, anl Billy ran down the stairs. He had taken but two steps downward when Beulah saw him and cried out, while she danced up and down with delight:
 'Is ye got my peaches, papa''
 Yes, papa had the peaches and the Jackson balls, too. Such time as there was, to be sure! Such bulging cheeks and merry gurgles of laughter And such an utterly crushed and shame faced man never walked up Canal street before carrying two children in his arms. Billy's wife heard the laughter and the familiar footstep and her heart started beating a wild tattoo. She ran down and opened the door. She saw how Billy trembled; she marked the dark circles around his eyes and his averted head. She had seen him that way before.
 Billy" said she, responsibility. IVY ell hltty," Stammefed Bllly, tne bunco men -"
 "Yes, yes, Billy, I know all about it. You have been out with the bunco men before. But wouldn't cultivate theil acquaintance if I were you, Billy"
 This was said with such an appealing look, such a moist eye, and such an evi- dent appreciation of the whole situation that Billy was struck all of a heap. His wife's conduct in never asking fo, bill of particulars nor nagging him with reproaches burned such big hole in his conscience that he thinks he k we'll fortified against future assaults ot the enemy. New York Sun.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28

The reclamation from the desert of portions of northern Africa by means of altesian wells, seems to be going on pros perously. The first we'll has constantly increased its flow, and now irrigates an area of 1500 acres, on which are grow ing many thousand palm trees, besides garden crops for the support of the pop ulation which hls flockel to the place, and second well has been driven about two miles from tn. first, which already delivers nearly twice as much water as the first. If the flow from the second can be distributed as successfully as that from the first, the two wells, neith of which is 300 feet deep, will bring into cultivation an area of more than seven seuare miles, forming an oasis of con- siderable importance, and it seems now probable that the French government may ta6e measures for restoring their an- cient fertility to tracts which were once renowned for their fruitfulness.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
Turning Death Into Life.

Death Valley is to be turned into an ostrich ranch A Mexican has fourteen well-grown chicks that he matched out there in his little ranch near the borax- works from eggs brought from the neighborhood of Los Angeles. The eggs were buried in the hot sand, and of nights the ground was covered with blankets to retain the heat it absorbed during the day. The ranch is about 220 feet below the level of the sea- Vir- ginia (Nev.) Enterprise.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28

The report of the appointment divis- ion in the Post Office department con- tains the following figures for the past fiscal year: Number of offices established, 3,04S; number discontinued, 1,500; ap- pointments on. resignations and com missions expredS 5,s63; appointments oa removals and suspensions, ?, 5s4; ap- pointments on chans ses of names and sites, J4sa; appointments on deaths of postmasters, 5so. The total number of appointments of postmasters of all grades during the year was 13,079. The total number of appointments for the years 1885 and 1886 wss g, TAT and 9,547 re- spectively, making total for the three years of AS, 3I3 The total number of post offices of ali grales in operation on July 1, 1887, was 5J, 157.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28

Who are the people that leave money on deposit, and ia to call forit2 A lit tie information on this point comes from Connecticut, which has eighty-four say ings banks at present, not over twenty of the mum 1er coming under the law re- aulring reports concerning unknown de- positors. The amount of deposits which have remained without claimants for twenty years Is known to be over $15,- 900. Of this, $21, 900 is held by the Society for Savings in Hartford, ST, ,000 by the New London Savings Bank, S12,- 800 by the Norwich Savings Bank, ST. 900 by. the Bridgeport Savings Bank, $4, 900 by the Miidletown, and not far from $4, 900 by the Norwalk Savings RapE